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Orchidopexy for bilateral undescended testes: A multicentre study on its effects on fertility and comparison of two fixation techniques
Author(s) -
Uijldert Mick,
Meißner Andreas,
Kuijper Caroline F.,
Repping Sjoerd,
de Jong Tom P. V. M.,
Chrzan Rafal J.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
andrologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.633
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1439-0272
pISSN - 0303-4569
DOI - 10.1111/and.13194
Subject(s) - fertility , medicine , orchiopexy , fixation (population genetics) , gynecology , surgery , population , environmental health
Abstract To evaluate fertility potential after orchidopexy for bilateral undescended testis and compare two surgical fixation techniques for effect on fertility. Men older than 22 years who had either tunica albuginea orchidopexy (TAO) or “no‐touch” technique (NTO) in childhood for bilateral undescended testis (BUDT) were selected. Participants filled out a questionnaire followed by physical examination, had testicular ultrasound, blood sample and semen analysis. Statistical testing was performed using general linear modelling. Sixty‐seven out of 166 individuals responded. Forty‐nine completed the questionnaire, and nine (18.3%) reported having fathered children. Thirty‐six showed up for further examination, 26 had TAO and 10 NTO. Impaired hormonal spermatogenesis regulation (34.6% vs. 20%), higher subfertility rate (46% vs. 20%) and lower means of motile spermatozoa (58.1 × 10 6 spz vs. 177.9 × 10 6 spz) were observed in the TAO versus the NTO group; none of these were statistically significant. Four (15.4%) of the TAO and two (20%) of the NTO group have azoospermia. Although the operation technique did not have a significant impact on fertility, unfavourable outcomes were more common after surgery involving the tunica albuginea of the testis. Larger sample sizes are needed to ascertain whether the trends favouring the NTO technique are of any significance.